The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially listed former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate for Nasarawa State, confirming his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The commission's action follows a Supreme Court ruling in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, which upheld the validity of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026.
Supreme Court Ruling on Electoral Act 2026
The Supreme Court judgment reinforced a statutory requirement that political parties must submit their membership registers to INEC no later than 21 days before any primaries, congresses, or conventions are held. Under this provision, only individuals whose names appear in the register submitted within that deadline are eligible to participate in internal party processes, whether as voters or as candidates seeking nomination.
The ruling effectively sets strict conditions on who can vote and be voted for during party primaries and conventions, serving as a legal benchmark for future candidate eligibility disputes. According to the Supreme Court, the membership register submission deadline acts as a hard boundary for participation in internal party elections.
Implications for Nasarawa State Politics
INEC's recognition of Adamu as the SDP's governorship candidate in Nasarawa State flows directly from the court's interpretation of these rules. The commission determined that Adamu's candidacy met the requirements as defined under the reaffirmed legal framework, allowing him to contest the governorship under the SDP banner despite his previous affiliation with the APC.
This development marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Nasarawa State, as Adamu, a former Inspector-General of Police, brings substantial experience and influence to the SDP ticket. The commission's decision is expected to have ripple effects on the upcoming governorship election in the state, with the SDP now fielding a high-profile candidate against the APC and other parties.
Broader Impact on Party Primaries
The Supreme Court ruling clarifies how INEC and political parties must handle candidate eligibility disputes going forward. The 21-day membership register submission deadline is now a definitive requirement, meaning parties must ensure their registers are accurate and submitted on time to avoid disqualification of their candidates.
Political analysts and party officials are closely watching how this ruling will affect other states and elections, as the decision sets a precedent for enforcing the Electoral Act 2026. For now, the focus remains on Nasarawa State, where Adamu's candidacy under the SDP is now officially recognized by INEC, setting the stage for a competitive governorship race.
